Foldable cap



June 19, 1962 F. K. LIPSCHUTZ FOLDABLE CAP 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April2'7, 1959 INVENTOR.

FRNK. K. LIPSCHUTZ lL/%n ATTORNEYS June 19, 1962 F. K. LIPSCHUTZ3039,113

FOLDABLE c;u=

Filed April 27, 1959 3 e s-sheet 2 INVEN-TOR. FRANK K Lmscr-1uu F/g. 5B}Jgybi& H VI ATTORNEYS June 19, 1962 F. K. LIPSCHUTZ 3,039,113

FOLDABLE CA? 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 2'7, 1959 IN V E'N TOR.

FRANK. K. LIPSCHUTZ ATTORN E Y5 3,039,113 FOLDABLE CAP Frank K.Lipschutz, Louisville, Ky. assignor to Louisville Cap Corporation,Louisville, Ky. a corporation of Kentucky Filed Apr. 27, 1959, SEI. N0.809,008 1 Claim. (Cl. 2--195) This invention relates generally w caps,but has Teference more particularly I caps of the type generally worn bythe armed forces and known as fatigue caps, and to improvements in thecap disclosed in my U.S. Patent N0. 2,896218, issued Iuly 28, 1959.

The present invention has as its primary object the provision of a capof this type which is of simpler comstruction than the cap described inthe aforesaid patent, and which can be manufactured in lauge quantitiesat lower cost than seid cap.

Another object of the invention is t0 provide a eap of the characterdescribed which has greater appeal, in its external appearance, flha.ncaps heretofore used for this purpose.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during thecourse of the following description.

In the aocompanying drawings forming a part of this specificatlon, andin Which like numerals ai'e employed to designate like parts thronghoutthe same FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a cap embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the cap;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cap;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the cap, in folded or collapsed condition;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the cap, in folded or collapsedcondi'on;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken an the line 66 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 7-7 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 88 ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 99 ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 10-10of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 11-1 10f FIG. 2.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, wh1'chillustrate the cap in the open 01' unf0ldd condition in which it appearswhen wem, the cap will be seen to comprise a cr0wn struct-ure consistingof a front crown pa.nel 1, a top crown parlel 2 and rear crown panels 3,4 and 5, mhese parts being made of a pliable textile 0r fabric.

The front crowvn panel is bent into substantially semicylindrical form,the axis of this cylinder being substantially vertical. This panel has alower edge 1a whioh is ourved to conform to the rear edge of a visor tobe presently described, and has an upper edge 1b which is curved toconfonn With the front edge of the top pane1 2. The lower edge of thepanel 1 also includes pocrtions 1c Wh1'ch extend rearwardly from theends of the edge 1a and lie in a substantially horizontal plane.

The top pane1 2 is curved or arclhed transversely to comfonn generallywith the eurvature of the edge 1b of the panel 1, and has a front edgewhich is rounded to conform with the upper edge 1b of the freut crownpanel 1, and a rear edge, which, in the flattened condition of the panel2 3,039113 Patented June 19, 1962 is substantially straight, but whichWhen the cap is wo-rn, appears curved, as inFIGS. 1 and 2.

The rear crown panels 3, 4 and 5 are cf substantially triang-ular shape,and of substantially the same size, the panel 4 being disposed betweenthe panels 3 and 5.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the panel 1 is folded at its upper edge 10provide a hem 6, which is secured, as by a line 0f stitching 7, to adownturned hem 8 at the front edge of the -top panel 2. The raw edges 0fthe hems 6 and 8 are bound or covered by a binding tape 9, which issecured to the hems 6 and 8 by means cf the line of stitching 7.

Rearwardly of the hem 8, the front of the t0p panel 2 is foldeddownwardly, as at 10, and this down-turned portion 10 is secured to thetape 9 and hems 6 and 8 by the line of stitcln'ng 7. This provides afairly stiif upstanding rib at the meeting edges of the panels 1 and 2,as bes=t shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, which, as will presently be explained,facilitates folding of the cap.

The tape 9 is also secu-red t0 the hems 6 and 8 by a second line ofstitching 11, which is just below the stitching 7.

The rea.r edge of the top panel 2 is secured as by stitching 11a, to thefitont edges of the crown panels 3 and 5 (FIG. 7), these edges beingcovered by means 0f a binding tape 12 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 7) which issecured to the panel 2 by a line of stinching 13, and to the panels 3and 5 by a line of stitohing 14, the tape covering the overlapped edges0f the panels, as best sh0wn in FIG. 7.

The rear edge cf the pane1 3 is secured, as by stitching 11b, to theadjacent edge of the panel 4 (FIG. 11), these edges being covered bym6ans cf a binding tape 15 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 11), Whieh covers theoverlapped edges of -these panels, and which, as best shown in FIG. 11,is seoured to the panel 3 by stitching 16, and to the pane1 4 bystitehing 17.

The o cher edge of the panel 4 is secured, as by stitching 11c to therear edge of the panel 5 (FIG. 9), these edges being covered by means ofa binding tape 18 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9), Which cover s iheoverlapped edges of these panels, and which, aus best shown in FIG. 9,ils secured to the panel 4 by -stitching 19, and to the panel 5 bystitching 20.

The binding tapes 15 and 18, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, areoverl-apped at their -front ends, and these everlapped ends are insertedbetween the panels 3, 4 and 5 and the binding tape 12, being securedtogether at this point by the stitching 14.

The ends of the front crown pane1 1 are -pr0vided with hems 21 (FIGS. 2and 10), and the front edges of the rear crowu panels 3 and 5 areprovided with hems 22, the hems 21 and 22 being secured together by aline of stitohing 23. The raw edges cf -these hems are b0und or coveredby the tape 12.

The cap also includes a visor of conventional orescentshaped form,c0nsisting of a flexible reinforcing insert 01 body 24 (FIG. 6), made ofcork, plastic o1 1ike material, and coverings or facings 25 and 26 o-fthe same textile o r fabric as the crowvn pontions of the cap. Thesecoverings 0r facings 25 and 26 extend rearwardly beyond -the reagl edge0f fhe body 24 to provide portions 27 and 28 respectively, which aresecured as by stitching 29, to an upturned hem 30 of the panel 1.

A sweatband 31 is also provided, which is secured at its lower edge tothe crovvn panels, as by stitching 32, the ends of this band beingsec-ured to each other at the rear of the cap, as by stitching 33, asbest shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The upper edge of this band is not stitchedto the 3 orown structure, but may be tacked to the binding tapes 15 and18 to hold it in place.

The crown structure further includes a reinforcing member or panel 35,wln'ch is coextensive in area with, and of the same contour or shape asthe front crown panel 1. This member or panel 35 is preferably made ofperforated plastic material, such as nylon, which is relatively stifl orrigid, as compared with the fabric r textile portions of the cap, butWhich is sufficiently flexible =to be bent, yet has sufi1cientresiliency to cause it to return to its original shape or condition uponrelease of the forces or pressures which tend to bend it. 'I'hismaterial, in other words, is a shape-retaining, resilient, semi-rigid orselfsustaining or supporting material which possesses all of thesecharacteristics irrespective of the direction in which it is bent. Tl1ematen'al, moreover, is preferably of an open or perforated structure soas to provide for maximum Ventilation of the cap.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the reinforcing mernber 35 is provided at itsu-pper edge with a downturned hem 36, Which is sewn 10 the hems 6 and 8,and part 10 by the stitching 7, and is covered by the tape 9. It extendsdown- Wardly between the crown panel 1 and the hem 30, where it isseoured to the panel 1 by stitching 37.

The ends of the reinforcing member 35 are, as best shown in FIG. 10,provided with hems 38, which are disposed between the panel 1 and thehems 21, and are secured Io these parts by the stitching 13.

The cap, due to= its constructi0n, may be folded into a flat compactform, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in whioh forrn lt occupies a minimum ofspace, in both horizontal and vertical dimension, can be easily slippedinto the pooket of the servicernan, remains unobtrusive while thuscarrled by the serviceman, and can be shipped or stored in largequantities, inexpensively, and with a minimurn of labor or eiiort.

In fo=lding the cap, the top crown panel 2 and the adjacent portions ofthe panels 3, 4 and are pu-shed downwardly, and in doing this, thejuncture of the panel 2 with the pantls 3, 4 and 5 forme a natural foldline, which causes the portions of the panels 3, 4 and 5, to the left ofa crease line A, as Viewed in FIGS. 1, 2 3 and 7, eo be folded flat uponthe panel 2. At the sarne time, the portions of the panels 3, 4 and 5 tothe right of the crease line A, fold flat upon the other portions ofthese panels, the panel 2 folds flat upon the rear face of the panel 1,and the panel 1 folds flat upon the visor, cr6ating a flat package, asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

This folding action is greatly facilitated by reason of the fact thatthe reinforcing mernber 35 provides a somewl1at rigid panel, againstwhich the portions of the cap rearwardly of this panel, and which arepreferably left unlined, can be readily bent and folded flat. 'Ihisfolding is further facilitated by the provision of the upstanding Ilb10, and the juncture of the panel 2 with the panels 3, 4 and 5, whichjuncture forms a natural fold line.

The portions of the cap rearwardly of the panel 1 are soft and flexible,and so shaped as to readily conform With the shape of the head, therebyproviding a comfortable fit. In this connection, the triangular shapeand errangements of the panels 3, 4 and 5 is of importance, although itis to be understood that a greater or lesser nu1nber of these rearpanels may be employed for this portion of the cap than the th1ee whichare illustrated.

The cap may be easily unfolded or opened to place it on the head of thewearer, by merely grasping the front edge of the visor with one hand andthe rear edge of the panel 3 'Wl'tl1 the other band and pnlling theseedges apart. When placed on the head of the wearer, the cap appears asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in Wh.ich condition, the cap presents a neat,trim and attraetive appearance.

lt may be noted that when the cap is in the fully open position shown inFIG. 2, that the ourve of the lower edge of the panel 1 extendsupwardly, and is above the horizontal plane Which passes through thelower edge of the remaim'ng portion of the crown of the cap, and thatthe rear edge of the visor of the cap=, which is secured to the loweredge of the cro-wn panel 1, is curved to conform with the curve of thelower edge of the crown panel l.

This not only facilitates folding of the crown panel 1 flat on the visorwhen the cap is folded, but also enables the visor to be flippedupwardly to a vertical position and remain in such position, when thecap is worn, thereby permitting the visor to be above and out of theline of vision for meeham'cs and others who are obliged to get intosrnall spaoes to= work. This feature is applicable to caps which are ofthe folding or non-folding type.

It may also -be noted that the lower edges of the panels 3, 4 and 5 liein substantially the same horizontal plane as the edges 1c of the crownpanel 1, and that these edges, along With the edges 1c, lie insubstantially the same horizontal plane as the lower edge of the vis0r.This aids in creating a neat and attractive appearance for the cap, as awhole, when worn, and also aids in reducing the cap to a rninirnum-sizedflat package, in the folded or C01- lapsed condition of the cap.

lt is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed, is to be taken 213 a preferred example of the same, and thatvan'ous changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangernent of partsthereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scopeof the subjoined clairn.

Having tl1us descn'bed my invention, I olaim:

In a collapsible cap of the character descr-ibed, a visor having aconcave inner edge, a crown structure comprising a front panel, a toppanel and rear panels, said front panel bent into substantiallysemi-cy-lindrical form, the axis of said semi-cylindrical form beingsubstantially vertical, said front panel having a curved upper edge anda lower edge, said lower edge having a portion thereof secured to theinner edge of the visor and end portions thereof extending rearwardlyand lying in a common substantially horizontal plane, said top panelhaving a front and rear edge and being arched or curved transversely toconform generally to the curvature of the upper edge of the front panel,said curved npper edge of the front panel being folded downwardly andrearwardly to provide a first hern, said front edge of the top panelbeing folcled downwardly to provide a second hem generally parallel toand coextensive with the first hem, the front of the top panelrearwardly of the second hem being folded downwardly to provide adownturned portion generally parallel to and coextensive with said firstand second hems, stitcln'ng rneans passing through and joining togethersaid first hem, said second hem and said downturned portion, wherebysaid hems and downturned portion for1n a stiff upstanding r-ib at thejuncture of the curved upper edge of the front panel With the front edgeof the top panel, said rear panels being of substantially triangularshape, with their bases forming the b ase of the rear portion of thecrown structure, said bases lying substantially in said horizontalplane, and their apices meeting at a point substantially at the centerof the rear edge of the top panel, said rear edge of the top panel beingConnected to adjacent edges of at least two of said rear panels, saidfront panel having a lining 011 its immer surface coextensive in areawith, and of the same shape or contour as said front panel, said liningconsisting of a perforated plastic material, which is relatively rigidas compared with the material of said front panel, but which issufficiently flexible to be bent, yet has sufficient resiliency to causeit to return to its original shape or condition upon release of theforces o1 pressures whioh tend to bend it, said top panel and rearpanels being of a flexible, unlined, fabric, said cap being foldablealong the concave inner edge of the visor, along the upper edge of thefront panel, along the rear edge of the top panel, and along a ourvedline intermediatae the rear edge of the top panel and the bases of saidrear panels, to form a flat package, said Stift" upstanding rib forminga natural fold line wl1ich facilitates 6 folding of the toppane1 ontothe front panel during said 1,190427 Kromer July 11, 1916 folding.1519491 Gross Dec. 16, 1924 1565,202 Reiter Dec. 8, 1925 ReferencesCitefl in the file of this patent 23g355 Paul l F;b. 22, 13214 5 2,8 8,43 Litows y ov. 1 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2896218 Lipschutz July 28,1959 D. 138,641 Baker Aug. 29, 1944 D. 186,839 Lipsohutz Dec. 15, 1959FOREIGN PATENTS 625776 Von Klein May 30, 1899 23,173 Great Britain Nov.2, 1909

